The Official Site of the

Lightning lose Game 3 to the Thunder - 6-2

The Lightning could not manage to tie the game up in the third period with a few key scoring chances. The Thunder would score four goals in the third period to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Manitoba series.

In the first period, the Thunder would get on the board first off of a two on one play. The Lightning would answer back. Jason Frykas would score for the lightning. Assists went to Riley Nixdorf and Chris Tyslau. The Thunder would take the lead late in the third period to take a 2-1 lead after one period.

In the second period, both teams were exchanging chances, but both goaltenders would not allow one to get past them.

In the third period, the Lightning would generate a few great oppurtunities to tie the game but could not get the pick by the Thunder goalie. Midway through the third period the Thunder would scoretwo quick back to back goals. The Lightning would come to within two goals. Dustin Hurl would score from the point from Brad Johnston. The Thunder would answer again and would increase the lead to three goals. With the goalie pulled late, the Thunder would seal the game with an empty net goal to make the final 6-2.

Prairie Thunder capitalize on PP and win Game 2 - 12-2

The Lightning took a first period 2-1 lead. In the second period, the Lightning would get into penalty trouble (8 consecutive penalties) and the Thunder would take full advantage of the oppurtunity scoring seven unanswered goal on route to a 12-2 game 2 win.

Thunder lead Manitoba Series 2-0.

Thunder down the Lightning 7-4 in Game 1 of the Manitoba Series

With five regulars out for the Lightning, fatigue became a factor throughout the game. The Thunder took an early lead in the game and never looked back.

In the first period, the Lightning would get on the scoresheet first. Jason Frykas would score on a partial breakaway to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead. Drew Anderson with the assist. The Thunder would answer back with three consecutive goals and would add another with under a second remaining in the period. Thunder took a 4-1 lead after one period.

In the second period, Southeast would increase the lead on the powerplay to make it 5-1. The Lightning would answer back. Chris Stelmack would score his first of the night to make it 5-2. The Thunder would capitilize once again on the powerplay to make it 6-2. Chris Stelmack would add his second of the game on the powerplay to make it a 6-3 lead going into the third for the Thunder.

In the third, the play kept going back and forth. The Thunder would score once again to make it 7-3. The Lightning would add a late goal by Chris Stelmack to complete the hat trick from Jason Frykas.

Gavin Mchale was solid in the pipes for the Lightning.

Game 2 is Sunday March 11th @ 8pm in Steinbach!

Manitoba Series Home Rinks Are Announced and Dates

The Manitoba best of 7 series will see the Prairie Thunder at home for two games and than the next two the Lightning will be home.

Exhibition Game- 7-2 Win vs Kenora Thistles

The Manitoba Lightning poured it on in the third period enroute to a 7-2 Win.

The Thistles came out in the first period with lots of energy. Chris Ward was up for the task making key saves limiting the Thistles to only one goal in the first period. The Lightning lone goal in the fist period came from Jason Frykas.

In the second period, the Lightning would increase the lead to one goal. Justin Giesbrecht would score on the powerplay from a slap shot from the point. Assists went to Wes Pawluk and Dustin Hughes. The Thistles would tie the game at two a few minutes after on a penalty shot. Late in the period, Jason Frykas would add his second of the night to give the Lightning a 3-2 lead after two periods. The assists went to Wes Pawluk and Chris Stelmack.

In the third period, the Lightning began to find chemistry in their lines. Dan Leslie would score three goals and Dustin Hughes would add the other. The assists on Leslie's second goal went to Benji Gustuvson and Dan Giesbrecht. The assists on Dustin Hughes's goal went to Wes Pawluk and Chris Stelmack. Also, on Leslie's hat trick goal the assist went to Benji Gustuvson.

As the game carried on, the Lightning began to find more chemistry with their lines/ D pairings. Both Gavin Mchale and Chris Ward were solid in net for the Lightning making huge saves at key times in the game.

Exhibition Game 5 - 4 Loss @ Kenora Thistles

The Manitoba Lightning fall to the Kenora Thistles 5-4. Of the 9 goals in total scored, 7 were on the power play. Not having a team skate prior to the opening game of the season, the Lightning geled really well. The Lightning went into the game with three forward lines and only four defensemen. The Lightning were missing some key players on forward and defense. Kenora had a great crowd out and both teams showed a great game.

In the first period, both teams were feeling each other out early. The Lightning got on the board first midway through the opening frame. Jason Frykas would score for the Lightning on the power play with the assist going to Riley Nixdorf. The Thistles would end up tieing the game with just a second left in the period on the power play.

In the second period, the Lightning would get into penalty trouble and the Thistles would make no mistake scoring back to back goals to make it 3-1. The Lightning would answer back on a nifty one on one move by Justin Giesbrecht. Two minutes later, Justin Giesbrecht would tie the game up at three, scoring on a slap shot from the point. Assists went to Chris Tyslau and Derek Buors. The Thistles would add two more goals to take a 5-3 lead after two periods. Gavin Mchale was solid in the first half of the game making some key saves.

In the third period, the Lightning would score midway through to come to within a goal. Justin Giesbrecht would complete the hat trick on the power play. Assists would go to Benji Gustuvson and Marty Bilodeau. The Thistles would apply the pressure on the Lightning, but Chris Ward made some big saves. The Lightning had a few chances to tie the game up at five, but the Thistles would hang on to the 5-4 win.